Monrovia, Liberia – July 21, 2025
In a historic move to strengthen regional integration and cooperation, the Speakers of the four Mano River Union (MRU) countries—Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire—have officially established the Mano River Union Parliament.
The agreement was reached during the Monrovia Declaration held on Sunday, July 20, 2025, in Monrovia, Liberia.
The landmark gathering brought together Rt. Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, Speaker of the Sierra Leone Parliament; Rt. Hon. Richard Ngbabe Koon, Speaker of Liberia’s Parliament; Rt. Hon. Adama Bictogo, Speaker of Côte d’Ivoire’s Parliament; and Rt. Hon. Dr. Dansa Kourouma, Speaker of Guinea’s Parliament.
Following thorough deliberations, the leaders unanimously endorsed the formation of the new Regional Parliamentary body, aimed at fostering deeper collaboration among the four nations.
Addressing the gathering, Speaker Segepoh Solomon Thomas of Sierra Leone described the creation of the MRU Parliament as “visionary and timely,” emphasizing its potential to tackle shared regional challenges such as youth unemployment, fragile security, climate change, cross-border trade barriers, and infrastructural deficits.
He highlighted that the four countries are bound not only by geography, but also by “common burdens and aspirations.”
Speaker Thomas further noted that the new parliamentary body would serve as a structured platform for harmonized legislation, democratic oversight, and policy coordination among member states.
“Our common challenges demand collective solutions,” he said, reflecting on the region’s history of conflict, pandemics, and economic volatility, as well as its resilience in the face of adversity.
He underscored the socio-economic benefits of the MRU Parliament, citing its role in:
- Promoting harmonized legislative frameworks
- Strengthening democratic accountability on shared policies and treaties
- Facilitating structured dialogue across borders
- Supporting youth and gender inclusion
- Advancing environmental stewardship
- Presenting a unified voice in continental and global platforms such as ECOWAS, AfCFTA, and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
“Sierra Leone stands ready—administratively, politically, and legislatively—to work alongside Liberia, Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire to realize this vision,” Speaker Thomas declared.
For his part, Speaker Richard Ngbabe Koon of Liberia reaffirmed the historical significance of the MRU, founded in 1973, as a beacon of regional solidarity and cooperation.
He stressed that the newly launched MRU Parliament would become a “critical institutional bridge” to harmonize laws, address cross-border challenges, and advance common agendas on trade, security, environmental protection, and human development.
Speaker Koon further emphasized that the Parliament would offer a unified voice in addressing issues such as cross-border insecurity, youth unemployment, climate change, and the free movement of people and goods.
He noted that these matters cannot be tackled in isolation, but require “a coherent and committed regional legislative approach.”
The Speakers of Guinea and Côte d’Ivoire equally expressed their nations’ full support for the sustainability and effectiveness of the MRU Parliament.
Key Provisions of the MRU Parliament
Outlined in Chapter III of the founding framework, the MRU Parliament’s composition and membership include:
- Each member state will be represented by no fewer than five (5) and no more than fifteen (15) members from their national legislatures.
- Delegations must reflect the political and gender composition of their respective parliaments.
- Members will be selected in accordance with each nation’s constitution and legislative rules.
Tenure & Mandate:
- Members will serve four-year terms, renewable once unless otherwise decided nationally.
- Members are tasked to debate, propose, and vote on MRU laws, oversee project implementation, advocate in regional bodies, and harmonize legislation.
Immunities & Privileges:
- Parliamentary immunity for acts performed in their official capacity.
- Protection against arrest or detention when attending sessions or traveling on official duties.
With this initiative, the Mano River Union Parliament is positioned to become a cornerstone for regional dialogue, integration, and legislative alignment, shaping the future of cooperation across West Africa’s Mano River basin.